KEY STEPS

Key outcomes of the 2010 survey on the level of satisfaction of Parties with the work of the
secretariat and follow-up action by the secretariat

In her note on the secretariat's Budget performance for the biennium 2010–2011 as at 30
June 2011 (FCCC/SBI/2011/16), the Executive Secretary reported on overall outcomes of the 2010
survey. The secretariat has analysed the results in more detail and has implemented steps to address
key issues raised in that survey.

The results of the survey, which had a 39 per cent response rate (73 out of 194 possible
respondents), indicate that Parties have a high level of satisfaction with the work of the
secretariat: 94 per cent of all respondents somewhat agreed, agreed or strongly agreed with
the statement that their level of satisfaction with the work of the secretariat was consistently
high. The generally positive ratings were mirrored in the responses to almost all of the
questions. Not one question provoked an overall negative response.

Against this generally positive background, Parties did raise some issues as needing attention,
although none of these were expressed as strong concerns. The following is a summary of such issues
and action undertaken by the secretariat to address those concerns.

Issue There is insufficient information made available to Parties on the
negotiating process and events during sessions.

Action taken

Introduction of informal plenaries in the COP/CMP and in other bodies to report on progress

New web survey under way for the next stage of improvements focusing on enhancing navigation
(however, additional funding would be required for a comprehensive solution including effective use
of web 2.0 tools)

IssueDocuments are not always available in a timely manner to enable
preparations for sessions; the lack of language versions of many documents is a serious impediment to
many delegations.

Action taken

Corrective actions under way to improve timeliness of document preparation and submission,
including stricter document status reporting. (However, there are external constraints, e.g. in cases
of mandated workshops and meetings of constituted bodies in the inter-sessional period if there is to
be reporting to the next session. In such cases, documents cannot be provided in time, especially
language versions.)

IssueThe support provided to developing countries in a number of areas is
considered to be insufficient (e.g. adaptation, technology, NAPAs).

Action takenThe primary role of the secretariat, in accordance with Article 8
of the Convention, is to provide organizational support and technical expertise to the UNFCCC
negotiations and institutions and facilitate the flow of authoritative information on the
implementation of the Convention. The secretariat is not an implementing agency and has limited
resources for providing direct support to country activities. However, the secretariat is assisting
Parties in implementing their commitments and responding to the identified needs and challenges. In
this context, the secretariat has undertaken a number of activities to strengthen its support to
developing countries, such as the following:

Re-alignment of programmes to provide more effective support in Adaptation, and Finance,
Technology and Capacity-Building

Enhanced support to NAPA implementation, including accessing GEF/LDCF resources, and the NAP
process for LDCs

Support to developing countries in implementing the results of their technology needs assessments
through workshops in collaboration with UNEP

Coordination of the work of the United Nations Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and
Public Awareness.

IssueInsufficient support is provided to assist developing countries in
developing and implementing CDM projects.

Action taken

Three Regional Collaboration Centres established in Togo, Uganda and Grenada to create a
globally available, regionally located network of offices providing direct support to governments,
NGOs and the private sector

Loan scheme launched to boost CDM projects in LDCs

Two help desks launched to support CDM project stakeholders involved in CDM projects in
underrepresented regions

Approved a plan to extend financial support to underrepresented countries in establishing
standardized emissions baselines

Programme of Activity (PoA) rules clarified and standards adopted as an important means to
scale up and extend the reach of the CDM, especially in underrepresented regions

Issue Logistics information for meetings is not available in time to
facilitate preparation by participants for conferences.

Action taken

Enhanced information for participants for meetings in Bonn on the UNFCCC website;
Negotiator, the mobile application for iPhones and iPads, is updated for each meeting; a new
version for Android smart phones is in preparation

Information for Participants brochure for sessions will be issued earlier

Earlier conclusion of arrangements with host governments envisaged to allow earlier logistical
preparations and provision of relevant information to participants

Increased coordination with the German Government and City of Bonn to provide pro-active and more
user-friendly information for participants on meetings in Bonn

IssueParticipants' travel arrangements can be improved in terms of routing
and timeliness.

Action takenResults from the traveller satisfaction survey of 2010 show that
over 94 per cent of participants rated the travel services as "good" or
"excellent", while only 2.2 per cent were not satisfied. While there are necessarily
individual cases in which UNFCCC may not be able to provide travel arrangements which fully meet the
traveller's request, the secretariat always tries to make as convenient arrangements as possible
while working within the UNFCCC travel rules and regulations.